SIR Elton John has slammed music stars who brand rap superstar Eminem a
homophobe.

The openly homosexual CANDLE IN THE WIND veteran displayed his admiration
for Eminem - despite the gay community declaring war on the STAN star - by
performing an unlikely duet at the 2001 Grammy Awards.

And John can't understand why some fellow gay musicians still
misunderstanding his friend's lyrics.

The 58-year-old says, "From the start, I've always admired Eminem's
thinking. That's the reason I wanted to appear on the Grammys with him when I
was asked, despite all the nonsense talked about his being homophobic.

"Let the BOY GEORGEs and the GEORGE MICHAELs of the world get in a twist
about it if they don't have the intelligence to see his intelligence."